Obesity

Obesity is characterized by excess accumulation of fat in the body and is the most common nutritional disorder of modern age. Intake of excessive calories, lack of mental & physical exercise, disturbance of thyroid or pituitary glands, excessive and regular consumption of alcohol is the main causes of Obesity. The obese have shortened life, difficulty in movement and sexual intercourse, tiredness, body odour, copious sweating, huge hunger and severe thirst. Over weight persons are prone to chronic diseases like heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, infertility, arthritis, cancer and many other metabolic-disorders

Obesity is described as 'Medoroga' in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, people with a Kapha constitution are more likely to gain weight through excess fat than a Pitta or Vata person. It is a chronic disease with a strong familial tendency. If parents are fat then the children also show a tendency to accumulate fat. There is a tendency to over eat in response to negative emotions like boredom, sadness or anger.

Read in the following how Ayurveda treatments with appropriate Panchakarma like detoxification cut down excess fat, correct the irregular metabolism and clear the body channels for a healthier life.

Diagnosis Ė the Ayurveda way

All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis of the patientís body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of the disease etc.

The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the personís body humour (Dosha) ĖVata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humours that create every disease.

The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behaviour, food habits, sleeping patterns, personal details like age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also. The doctor can decide if an Ayurveda treatment is helpful on providing these details.

Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a personís body humour and its imbalance. This will help the doctor in treating the disease.

Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.

In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.

Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the personís nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.

In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc can also be learned through eye diagnosis.

A preliminary consultation with Ayurveda doctors online is also possible nowadays for guests worldwide

Treatment Methods for Obesity

After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies .

The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.

The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. T he beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and docotrs advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.

Panchakarma for Obesity

Pre-purification therapies
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.

A few of the following pre-purification methods are usually adopted in the treatment of Obesity.

Thailadhara means continuous showering and massaging of the whole body with warm medicated oil for active perspiration. The oil is a blend of such highly effective herbs as sida, deodar, white leadwort, malabar nut, nutmeg, liquorice and sesame oil, castor oil and milk.

In Njavarakizhi the whole body or any specific part of it is made to perspire by applying herb filled boluses on the body. sida plant, winter cherry and asparagus are some of the medicinal herbs used in njavarakizhi. The treatment may last from one hour to one and a half hours.

Udvarthanam is body massage with herbal powder lasting for nearly thirty minutes. The most commonly used powder is thriphala, a mixture of gooseberry, belerica and myrobalan.

Abhyangam treatment ( whole body massage with special herbal oils ) is given to the patient It improves blood circulation, rejuvenates the whole body, delays aging, induces sound sleep, promotes vitality, reduces stress and removes toxins. Guuchi, Guggulu and Indian gooseberry are some of the medicinal herbs used in Abhyangam.

Main Purification Therapies for Obesity

This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors.

Panchakarma therapies, which are mainly used for purification or elimination of toxins. For weight loss Virechana (Purgation Treatment) or Basti (Medicated Enema) are recommended, depending on the individual health.

Virechanam is the purgation using oral intake of safe herbal medicines. This eliminates poisonous wastes through the anal route. Generally, the herbs used are turpith, embellia fruits, ginger , cardamom, long pepper, cinnamon etc.

Vasthi is enema therapy; the ace colon cleaning Panchakarma treatment. Special medicines are introduced through the anal route for the evacuation of accumulated toxins and metabolic wastes. Commonly used ingredients are dill seeds, honey, rock salt, herbal pastes, oils and decoctions.

Rasayana Therapies for Obesity

These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana treatments for Obesity consist of oral medicines and diet regulation.

Oral medicines for Obesity

Herbal medicines form an important part of any ayurvedic treatment. Oral medicines for Obesity will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure Obesity. Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams Ė semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed.

Neem, ginger, amaltas, nutmeg, liquorices, gooseberry, bael etc are some of the medicinal herbs used in the preparation of kashayams, lehyams and arishtams for the use of Obesity patients.

The type and quantity of the medicines to be taken are decided by the doctor after a detailed consultation and examination. The patientís body type, age etc are also important factors to be considered

Diet Regulations for Obesity

Diet regulation will be suggested for patients suffering from Obesity. Proper diet is a brilliant means of controlling and curing Obesity. Ayurveda diet provides adequate nutrition as well as rest for the needed organs.

Food that is excessively rich in carbohydrates like rice and potatoes must be avoided. Wheat should instead be consumed. A diet of natural foods and germinated wheat are recommended. Raw root vegetables, whole wheat bread and honey are recommended. Juice of fresh fruits and vegetables should also be consumed. An occasional fasting is also advisable.

Fatty substances as also red meat must be avoided as it may lead to cardiovascular problems in these people. They should cut down on the consumption of sugar and sweet foods. Bitter and pungent foods are, however, suggested as these are found to be effective in controlling weight.

You can find out your type of Prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself.

Yoga for Obesity

Yoga and Meditation are proven and effective way to develop and maintain perfect harmony and balance in our body systems. It provides us with immunity against all diseases. It alters brain wave activities reflecting in increased relaxation and a better focused mind. The commonly suggested yoga postures for Obesity are Salbha Asana (Locust) and Pranayama (Deep beathing exercise).